Beautiful kids books to discover this NAIDOC week
To help mark this year's NAIDOC Week, we've put together a list of some of our favourite kids books from First Nations Australians. From gorgeous, bilingual picture books to gripping middle fiction, and a powerful chronicle of First Nations protest, this collection has something for all ages to help them learn about, and celebrate, First Nations cultures.
Picture books
Yanga Mother by Cheryl Leavy, illustrated by Christopher Bassi
Yanga Mother is a timely and poetic celebration of First Nations languages. This powerful bilingual story honours connection to Country and the unbreakable bonds of never-ending motherly love.
Wandaguli Yanga. There is always Mother.
From award-winning writer Cheryl Leavy comes this beautiful picture book in Kooma and English about a grey kangaroo and her joey, and the unbreakable bonds of family.
Big, Big Love by Lisa Fuller, illustrated by Samantha Campbell
I love you like the river, the birds and the sighing trees. My love cannot be measured. It's way too big you see.
Big, Big Love is filled with beautiful illustrations and a soft, lilting text that is easy for children to follow along. It is a tender story for early childhood readers that embraces the message of unconditional love and acceptance.
Giinagay Gaagal, Hello Ocean by Melissa Greenwood
An ode to happy days spent by the ocean, from Gumbaynggirr artist Melissa Greenwood, the creator of the heart-stirring picture books Miimi Marraal, Mother Earth and My Little Barlaagany.
Gaagal (ocean) is our special place,
we love to swim in the waves.
We'll catch some yamaarr (fish),
eat, dance and play games.
Walking the Rock Country in Kakadu by Diane Lucas & Ben Tyler, illustrated by Emma Long
It's yekke, early dry season. Kundenge karrire kunwarddehwardde. Let's walk the rock country. Wardi karribolknan, let's see what we can see in Gagudju, Kakadu.
A breathtaking encounter with the magnificent rock country of Australia's iconic Kakadu National Park, from the highly acclaimed creators of Walking in Gagudju Country: Exploring the Monsoon Forest.
Ben Tyler and Diane Lucas share stories, knowledge and their love of the land on a walk through one of Australia's most ancient and beautiful ecosystems, introducing Kundjeyhmi language, one of the Bininj Kunwok languages of Kakadu and western Arnhem Land, along the way.
Somebody's Land by Adam Goodes & Ellie Laing, illustrated by David Hardy
For thousands and thousands of years, Aboriginal people lived in the land we call Australia. The land was where people built their homes, played in the sun, and sat together to tell stories.
When the white people came they called the land Terra Nullius. They said it was nobody’s land. But it was somebody’s land.
Somebody’s Land is an invitation to connect with First Nations culture, to acknowledge the hurt of the past, and to join together as one community with a precious shared history as old as time.
Books for older kids
Wurrtoo by Tylissa Elisara, illustrated by Dylan Finney
From our staff review: 'This irresistibly playful tale of a timid wombat’s quest to marry the sky is told with such humour and whimsy I was charmed from the very beginning.
An epic adventure of courage and survival, the love-struck Wurrtoo and his cheeky koala friend face all sorts of calamity, from dangerous creatures to a deadly bushfire and discover the value of friendship and the importance of conquering fear.
This outstanding debut of First Nations author Tylissa Elisara weaves traditional stories and the meaning of Country with a deep appreciation of astronomy, flora, fauna, and distinctly Australian food. And in the tradition of beloved characters such as Winnie the Pooh and Blinky Bill, Wurrtoo will find a place in the heart of children everywhere.'
When the World Was Soft by the Juluwarlu Group Aboriginal Corporation, illustrated by Alex Mankiewicz
Yindjibarndi believe all creation is written in our landscape and was sung long ago, filling our Ngurra (Country) with sacred meanings and deep religious significance. At the dawn of time, Ngurra Nyujunggamu, the world was soft as clay and the sky was very low. Our Creator, Minkala, sang the songs from which all life and Ngurra evolved. These are some of our stories.
Dynamically illustrated by Alex Mankiewicz with striking artwork by members of the Juluwarlu Art Group, When the World Was Soft is a powerful gift of culture for young and old.
In My Blood it Runs by Dujuan Hoosan, Margaret Anderson & Carol Turner, illustrated by Blak Douglas
This is the story of Dujuan Hoosan, a 10-year-old Arrernte and Garawa boy. A wise, funny, cheeky boy. A healer.
Out bush, his healing power (Ngangkere) is calm and straight. But in town, it's wobbly and wild, like a snake. He's in trouble at school, and with the police. He thinks there's something wrong with him.
Dujuan's family knows what to do: they send him to live out bush, to learn the ways of the old people, and the history that runs straight into all Aboriginal people.
Wongutha Tales by May L. O'Brien
From our staff review: 'Compiling her beloved stories for the first time, Wongutha Tales by May L. O’Brien is an exciting new collection of classic tales. The Bawoo Stories and Badudu Stories were first published individually in 1992 and have since become favourites in the classroom and the home . . . The Bawoo Stories are traditional teaching stories, ‘Why the Emu Can’t Fly’ is a cautionary tale about the consequences of hubris – and how it left the emus to walk. The Badudu Stories are drawn from O’Brien’s own memories of school life. They capture the cheeky spirit of primary school life, navigating the social dynamics and negotiating with grown-ups. Featuring a Wongutha pronunciation guide, this collection is a wonderful addition to any home or library, and a fitting tribute to an extraordinary children’s storyteller. '
Always Was, Always Will Be by Aunty Fay Muir & Sue Lawson
From our staff review: 'Always Was, Always Will Be is an in-depth look at how Australia’s First Nations have never stopped fighting for their land, their rights and their voice. Starting from the arrival of the Europeans, Aunty Fay Muir details all the ways, big and small, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have stood up for themselves, from refusing to wear European clothing to learning to read and write so their voices would be heard (First Nations people learned quickly that while their culture had strong oral traditions, Europeans valued the written word), to organising nationwide campaigns during referendums.'
Guardians: Wylah the Koorie Warrior by Jordan Gould & Richard Pritchard
From our staff review: 'Written by Peek Whurrong man Jordan Gould and New Zealand Samoan man Richard Pritchard (who also did the illustrations) Guardians: Wylah the Koorie Warrior is a deliciously exciting fantasy novel balanced out with very real snapshots of life in Australia 40,000 years ago. Almost every page has footnotes explaining details about the culture or the language depicted, meaning this book will not just appeal to fantasy lovers, but also to children who love to read and recite facts – I know I’ve come out of it a very entertained and more educated reader and I am deeply excited for the rest of the series.'
Book three in the Wylah the Koorie Warrior series came out last month, so now's the perfect time to explore the whole series.
The Broken Rainbow by Tasma Walton, illustrated by Samantha Campbell
When Nerra's great-grandmother passes away, she leaves a box of artefacts to Nerra. Nerra is drawn to the clapsticks which glow red hot, and when she picks them up, she is transported back in time. Dreaming is out of balance and a hero needs to help. Bineal and Pirnbial, husband and wife of the rainbow, have been split apart and captured by the evil Devour'ena.
With the help of the Keeper of Clean Sand and Clear Water and the cleverman, Bobbinary, can Nerra reunite the rainbow and bring Dreaming back into balance?
Keep an eye out for the second book in the Nerra: Deep Time Traveller series, out this August.
